Mutilating Hand Injuries

Definition

A mutilating hand injury is severe damage to the hand. The injury may include damage to bones, tendons, soft tissues, nerves, and skin. It can become a life-threatening condition.

If you have this type of injury, call for medical help right away. Immediate care may result in a better repair and decrease the chance of further damage. Untreated, this can lead to a serious infection.

Causes

Mutilating hand injuries can be caused by a variety of factors, including:

Diagnosis

When you are brought to the emergency room, a doctor will quickly assess your injury. Your wound will be inspected and your hand’s nerves and tendons will be tested. You will be asked to explain how the injury happened. You will also be asked which of your hands is dominant.

Imaging tests assess damage to the bones, nerves, tendons, skin, or other soft tissues. These may include:

Treatment

Immediate treatment is focused on stopping any bleeding. The doctor will make sure your vital signs are stable. An IV will be started to give you fluids and medications. You may be referred to a hand specialist for surgery. Depending on your injury, you may receive the following treatment:

Snowblower and lawnmower injuries. American Society for Surgery of the Hand HandCare website. Available at:
http://handcare.assh.org/Portals/1/SnowblowerInjuries%20WEB%20ONLY.pdf. Accessed December 30, 2013.